Rising rents continue to erode living standards – Lahart

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Dublin John Lahart says the recently published 2016 Living Wage Report highlights that housing costs in the capital are wiping out modest pay increases achieved by workers.

Deputy Lahart said, “The latest Living Wage Report highlights that while there have been some decreases in living costs, these have been wiped out by rising rental costs.

“A more detailed analysis of the report reveals that while housing costs moved by between €2.24 and €8.93 per week in the rest of the country, the increase in Dublin was €19.62 per week. This massive increase in housing expenditure in Dublin has resulted in reduced discretionary spending for families.

“People are going to see little to no gain in the amount of money they have available for discretionary spending unless we bring the cost of renting under control. Any gains from modest pay increases in wages or reduced taxation are being swallowed up by the spiralling rents. People are in effect running just to stand still.

“The homelessness figures are already appalling and an indictment of the previous Governments failure to tackle the housing crisis. It is imperative that this Government makes a concerted effort to address the issue of soaring rents. Every effort must be made to explore each of the options available to stem the flow of families into homelessness.”

Hey Micheal Martin, whats this rubbish about you defending 180 Garda statements that didn't hold up in Court.. What strokes you trying to pulling in saving this broken institutions face.
A) Disband it, its too steeped in civil war politics.
B) Establish a new force with a separate investigative wing.
C) As the Police are a seperate institution to politics then make the new Commissioner an electable position to ensure public confidence instead of 'political' confidence (other countries do it)